16 DHEA UID U BO New Ui eee 
ILLINOIS NESTING RECORDS FOR 1966 
Individual Observer Figure Declines Slightly, 
But Total Reports Increase to 513 
Compiled by MRS. NAOMI McKINNEY 
Nesting survey records of 1966 showed a decline in the number of 
observers—from 42 to 32—but the submitting of a greater number 
of reports: from 377° in 1965 up to 513 for ’66. Our individdar 
champion is Don Varner of Morrisonville. He submitted 111 records 
from four Illinois counties. Further, Mr. Varner’s report of 44 bluebird 
nests—with 46 young banded, 43 other young, and 11 nests ready 
for eggs at the time of observation—was the best for bluebirds. 
Peter Dring of Willow Springs again topped all for tree swallows 
with 29 reports: 102 fledged, and 101 banded, 4 of which died in the 
box. One nesting established a 9-egg record (with 8 fledged). Another 
nest of 9 eggs fledged only 3. 
McHenry County came up with the greatest number of observers 
who submitted 52 reports. A late cold spell, with snow, in northern 
Illinois led to the destruction of many nestings of martins. 
For the 1967 survey, record-compiling could be facilitated through 
use of the forms provided by the Illinois State Museum, Springfield, 
which is glad to send them upon request. Then—please—return these 
cards to the museum in the fall after the nesting season. 
To those who’ve taken time to make up so many records—my 
appreciation. Without your assistance, obviously, there would be 
no bird nesting census. 222 So. Hickory, Arthuc, Nl 619as 
CHARADRIIFORMES: Plover, Sandpipers, Gulls, Terns and allies. 
Killdeer 
May 8, 4 eggs. June 18, 4 young fledged. Cook Co. (Hall). 
Upland Plover 
May 24, 4 adults, 2 young. Will Co. (Wade). 
Wilson’s Phalarope 
May 28 - June 18, 4 young fledged. Altogether 4 males nested and raised 2 to 3 
young each. Cook Co. (Hall). 
Forster’s Tern 
July 3 - Aug. 13, 2 young fledged. Nest exposed; birds with no aggressive behavior. 
Cook Co. (Balch and Blume). 
Black Tern 
May 25, 2 eggs; June 11, 2 eggs, 1 young with egg tooth. Cook Co. (Balch and 
Blume). 
COLUMBIFORMES: Doves and Pigeons 
Mourning Dove 
April 9 - Oct. 5, 10 nests, 9 eggs, 3 young fledged, 2 young banded, 1 young killed 
by cat, 1 nest destroyed by Blue Jay, 1 nest of eggs destroyed by grackles. 
Oct. 5 — a late record for dove nesting. Tazewell, Sangamon, McHenry, Christian 
Counties. (Guth, Parmalee, Fiske, Stroud, Varner). 
